BREAKING: “My Picture As Election Observer In Ekiti Election Was AI Generated” — Edo APC Chair

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The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has dismissed claims that he served as an election observer during the recent election in Ekiti State, insisting that a photograph showing him wearing an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) jacket was artificially generated.

Tenebe made the clarification in a video shared on the official X handle of African Independent Television (AIT) on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, following the circulation of a photograph that sparked debate on social media.

The image, which portrayed the Edo APC chairman wearing what appeared to be an INEC-branded jacket, generated questions about his role during the election and whether he had participated in the electoral process as an observer.

Responding to the controversy, Tenebe acknowledged that he was present in Ekiti State during the election period but denied taking part in election monitoring activities.

“I was in Ekiti but I didn’t go to monitor election,” he said.

The APC chieftain explained that his visit to the state was purely political and related to party affairs rather than any official electoral assignment.

According to him, he travelled to Ekiti to support the APC chairman in the state and had no involvement in election observation duties.

Addressing the photograph directly, Tenebe maintained that the image was fabricated using artificial intelligence technology and did not accurately represent reality.

“The photo with INEC jacket was AI generated,” he stated.

He further alleged that political opponents were responsible for circulating the image in an attempt to create a false impression about his activities during the election.

“And you know that the opposition knows how to do that very well,” Tenebe added.

The controversy highlights the growing challenge posed by artificial intelligence-generated images in political discourse, particularly during election periods when misinformation can spread rapidly across social media platforms.

In recent years, concerns have increased globally over the use of AI tools to create realistic but misleading images, videos, and audio recordings capable of influencing public opinion or damaging reputations.

While Tenebe insisted that the photograph was manipulated, no independent verification regarding the authenticity of the image was immediately available at the time of his statement.

His remarks have nevertheless added a new dimension to discussions surrounding the role of technology in politics and the potential misuse of AI-generated content in electoral environments.

The Edo APC chairman reiterated that he did not participate in monitoring the election and maintained that his presence in Ekiti was solely to support party activities.

“I was in Ekiti but I didn’t go to monitor election. The photo with INEC jacket was AI generated. And you know that the opposition knows how to do that very well,” he said.